That is what Aragon’s Deputy President, Mar Vaquero, said after the Government Council meeting, highlighting that the fire, “the largest recorded in Aragon since 1994,” caused significant damage to the natural environment, public infrastructure and local communities. The impact affected forests, ecosystems and the natural, scenic, historical and cultural heritage.
THE FIRE’S VAST SCALE AND THE RISK IT CAUSED
Vaquero also justified joining the proceedings because of the risk the fire posed to the safety of the many personnel involved in firefighting efforts. It should be recalled that Javier García Sancho, a serviceman from the Military Emergency Unit, died during the operation, while three other UME members were injured.
She also recalled that “the emergency forced the evacuation and clearance of numerous towns, as well as the confinement of others for several days.” The fire also affected areas of “special environmental and heritage value,” including the Protected Landscapes of San Juan de la Peña and Monte Oroel and the Sierra de Santo Domingo.
The deputy president also stressed that “the scale of the fire required the largest deployment of resources ever carried out in Aragon” to combat a forest fire, involving up to 42 aircraft and more than 1,000 personnel from different administrations and organizations, in addition to international resources mobilized through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
DECLARATION AS A SEVERELY AFFECTED AREA
Regarding the declaration as a severely affected area, Vaquero said that “the extent of the fire, the protection measures that had to be adopted and the significant damage suffered justify the request for the six affected municipalities.”
The Government Delegation said that “it will be brought before an upcoming Council of Ministers meeting.” This will facilitate the mobilization of the support mechanisms provided for this type of emergency and contribute to the recovery of the affected municipalities, their infrastructure and their economic activity. For the corresponding aid, the regional administration will provide 50% and the State the remainder.
